Sitting in an Artist Alley is pretty different from being in the dealer’s hall. You have much less space to work with and you’re working (sometimes literally) shoulder to shoulder and back to back with your fellow artists. There’s often few to no barriers between the artists beyond what your display can bring. There are many, many advantages to being friendly and open with your fellow artists. Being a good neighbor helps foster a positive attitude in the alley. Happy artists mean happy attendees and happy attendees are more likely to stop, browse and make purchases. Additionally, when in the…

We started convention season off strong at Karoshi Con in DeKalb, IL at NIU. Karoshi is always a fun con because it’s low cost and low stress. The attendees are friendly and nobody has EVER been a jerk at Karoshi. This is the only convention we can say that of. Things ran mostly smooth, so kudos to the new staff. They kinda forgot to announce us on the vendor’s list but we got that straightened out quick. We and our local comic friends comprised about 3/4 of the vendors, which made the atmosphere extra fun. This became especially apparent when we…

Anime Central 2012 Con Report Kumate Works studio joined Anime Central for its 15 year anniversary this last weekend. The weekend went by really fast, we don’t remember most of it, but we’ll do our best to relay the highlights. Set up was Thursday night and went very smooth. Shout out to IRT for being so kind and courteous for making sure we could come and go as necessary since badges weren’t ready yet. We didn’t get to sit next to Darrick Chen and Panda Rage, but we were back to back. Shout out to him and his new book,…

We'll be showing at OPPLcon this weekend! Come out to see our new stuff and avoid shipping charges!

Orland Park Public Library is hosting its own mini comic con for the third year in row on Saturday, July 22 starting at 10 a.m. Each year OPPL CON, the library’s own comic con, includes an “Artists’ Ally” in room 104 where artists bring their work to the library to show the community. This year the library has the fortune to host 9 different groups of artists. Some of the artists include Beta 3 Comics, Mystery Unincorporated, Sol Comics, Kumate Works, Cinders and Glitters, and the Sketchy Duo. Links to all the arts’ webpages are available at the library’s website. Children will have a chance to take a picture with a snow queen from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a web slinging superhero from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. thanks to Premier Princess Parties. Patrons are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters like Superman, Spock, and Maleficent as well. Events run through the day, including a special Superhero storytime at 10 a.m., themed crafts at 11 a.m. in Youth Services, and a costume parade at 1 p.m. Teens are invited to participate in the Super Smash Brothers Tournament in the storytime room at 2 p.m., and adult patrons might enjoy two discussion panels held upstairs in the computer lab on The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively. Library patrons can scoop up a sweet treat just outside of the library front doors at 11 a.m. from TCBY. The library would like to thank all its sponsors including Burger 21, Mod Pizza, Premier Princess Parties, and TCBY for helping make this event happen. While visiting the library Saturday, patrons can get a temporary tattoo, take a superhero picture at the photo booth, attend superhero training, and stop by the lobby to see the library’s own 3D printer in action any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, visit the library’s special OPPL CON webpage at http://www.orlandparklibrary.org/comiccon or call 708-428-5100. The Orland Park Public Library is located at 14921 Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park, Illinois. Hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Patrons are asked to wear family friendly costumes and leave light sabers at home. ... See more